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The information about it being on a hit list was discovered on Sid Ahmed Ghlam, 24, who was arrested last April

Investigators found weapons in Ghlam's car, which was parked nearby, and at his student accommodation.

It included Kalashnikovs, a police-issue pistol, and a number of bullet-proof vests.

Documents found at his flat and in a search of his computer and telephone, suggested Ghlam was in contact with a French speaker in Syria who had ordered him to carry out attacks on churches.

Reuters

Security has been heightened across France

These included the Sacre-Couer basilica in Paris, and places of worship including the one in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray targeted today. Ghlam is currently in a high-security prison while waiting trial for 'murder, attempted murder, association with criminals with a view to commit crimes against people' and for other infractions 'connected to a terrorist organisation'.

The computer student, who born in Algeria, was also charged with the murder of a 32-year-old woman, who was found in the passenger seat of her burning car after his arrest.

Reuters

Francois Hollande visited the scene of the murder

Dance instructor Aurelie Chatelain, a mother of one, who had just attended a Pilates class, died after she was shot three times in the head, in what police believe may have been an attempt by Ghlam to hijack her car.

The barbaric act in Normandy is the latest in a string of devastating attacks to shake France.

French media have reported the country's politicians to be in a state between "horror" and "disgust".